Abstract: A drilling assembly including a sensor coupled to a gear, the gear in direct or indirect rotational communication with a component of drilling assembly, such as a bull gear or a pipe handler. The drilling assembly further including a logic device configured to calculate a wear status of the drilling assembly, indicating wear of one or more components of the drilling assembly. The logic device can also be configured to calculate an alignment value of the gear for engagement of a locking device.

Abstract: A top drive includes a plurality of modules. The top drive includes a first fastening member and a second fastening member. The first fastening member and the second fastening member are configured to be removably coupled to connect a first module and a second module. In some embodiments, the top drive includes a third fastening member. The third fastening member is configured to be removably coupled to at least one of the first fastening member and the second fastening member, to connect the first module, the second module, and a third module. A tool for assembling or disassembling a top drive includes a fastening portion including an attachment mechanism configured to releasably couple the tool to a portion of a top drive. The tool includes a first housing including a recess disposed therein. The tool includes a first rod disposed at least partially within the recess.

Abstract: A drilling assembly including a sensor coupled to a gear, the gear in direct or indirect rotational communication with a component of drilling assembly, such as a bull gear or a pipe handler. The drilling assembly further including a logic device configured to calculate a wear status of the drilling assembly, indicating wear of one or more components of the drilling assembly. In another aspect, the logic device is configured to calculate an alignment value of the gear for engagement of a locking device.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a rotatable shaft having a shaft surface and a first seal disposed in a sealing engagement with the shaft surface. At least a second seal is disposed in a first position relative to the rotatable shaft where the second seal is not in sealing engagement with the shaft surface and is movable to a second position relative to the rotatable shaft where the second seal is in sealing engagement with the shaft surface.

Abstract: A top drive includes a plurality of modules. The top drive includes a first fastening member and a second fastening member. The first fastening member and the second fastening member are configured to be removably coupled to connect a first module and a second module. In some embodiments, the top drive includes a third fastening member. The third fastening member is configured to be removably coupled to at least one of the first fastening member and the second fastening member, to connect the first module, the second module, and a third module. A tool for assembling or disassembling a top drive includes a fastening portion including an attachment mechanism configured to releasably couple the tool to a portion of a top drive. The tool includes a first housing including a recess disposed therein. The tool includes a first rod disposed at least partially within the recess.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a rotatable shaft having a shaft surface and a first seal disposed in a sealing engagement with the shaft surface. At least a second seal is disposed in a first position relative to the rotatable shaft where the second seal is not in sealing engagement with the shaft surface and is movable to a second position relative to the rotatable shaft where the second seal is in sealing engagement with the shaft surface.

Abstract: An association complex formed in a liquid environment from a metal-based chromium (VI) reducer and a non-lignosulfonate-based complexing agent is introduced into cement clinker or hydratable cement particles. In preferred embodiments, the formation of the association complex provides storage stability to the chromium reducer within the cement, such that the level of chromium (VI) after water is added to the cement remains less than 2 ppm for certain duration after mixing with water and without the necessity for further additions of chromium reducer during said duration (e.g., 26-84 or more days after addition). Compositions having the association complex are also described.

Abstract: Exemplary mechanically-flattened fibers of the invention comprise generally elongate bodies having varied width or thickness dimensions and micro-diastrophic surface deformities. Preferred fibers are elongate synthetic polymer or multipolymer blend fibers for reinforcing matrix materials such as concrete, shotcrete, gypsum-containing materials, asphalt, plastic, rubber, and other matrix materials. Preferred methods for manufacturing such fibers comprise subjecting synthetic polymer fibers to compressive forces sufficient to achieve flattening and surface micro-diastrophism without substantially shredding and abrading the fibers. Further exemplary fibers and methods involve mechanically-flattening intertwined or braided fibers or fiber bundles, thereby providing fibers having physical impressions thereon of the intertwinement or braidingand, optionally though preferably of micro-diastrophic surface deformities.

Abstract: Exemplary mechanically-flattened fibers of the invention comprise generally elongate bodies having varied width or thickness dimensions and micro-diastrophic surface deformities. Preferred fibers are elongate synthetic polymer or multipolymer blend fibers for reinforcing matrix materials such as concrete, shotcrete, gypsum-containing materials, asphalt, plastic, rubber, and other matrix materials. Preferred methods for manufacturing such fibers comprise subjecting synthetic polymer fibers to compressive forces sufficient to achieve flattening and surface micro-diastrophism without substantially shredding and abrading the fibers. Further exemplary fibers and methods involve mechanically-flattening intertwined or braided fibers or fiber bundles, thereby providing fibers having physical impressions thereon of the intertwinement or braiding and, optionally though preferably of micro-diastrophic surface deformities.

Abstract: Preferred methods for manufacturing such fibers involve subjecting synthetic polymer fibers to compressive forces sufficient to achieve flattening and surface micro-diastrophism without substantially shredding and abrading the fibers.

Abstract: Exemplary mechanically-flattened fibers of the invention comprise generally elongate bodies having varied width or thickness dimensions and micro-diastrophic surface deformities. Preferred fibers are elongate synthetic polymer or multipolymer blend fibers for reinforcing matrix materials such as concrete, shotcrete, gypsum-containing materials, asphalt, plastic, rubber, and other matrix materials. Preferred methods for manufacturing such fibers comprise subjecting synthetic polymer fibers to compressive forces sufficient to achieve flattening and surface micro-diastrophism without substantially shredding and abrading the fibers. Further exemplary fibers and methods involve mechanically-flattening intertwined or braided fibers or fiber bundles, thereby providing fibers having physical impressions thereon of the intertwinement or braidingand, optionally though preferably of micro-diastrophic surface deformities.

Abstract: Exemplary mechanically-flattened fibers of the invention comprise generally elongate bodies having varied width or thickness dimensions and micro-diastrophic surface deformities. Preferred fibers are elongate synthetic polymer or multipolymer blend fibers for reinforcing matrix materials such as concrete, shotcrete, gypsum-containing materials, asphalt, plastic, rubber, and other matrix materials. Preferred methods for manufacturing such fibers comprise subjecting synthetic polymer fibers to compressive forces sufficient to achieve flattening and surface micro-diastrophism without substantially shredding and abrading the fibers. Further exemplary fibers and methods involve mechanically-flattening intertwined or braided fibers or fiber bundles, thereby providing fibers having physical impressions thereon of the intertwinement or braidingand, optionally though preferably of micro-diastrophic surface deformities.